Image generation for collaborative sound systems

Abstract

In general, techniques are described for image generation for a collaborative sound system. A headend device comprising a processor may perform these techniques. The processor may be configured to determine a location of a mobile device participating in a collaborative surround sound system as a speaker of a plurality of speakers of the collaborative surround sound system. The processor may further be configured to generate an image that depicts the location of the mobile device that is participating in the collaborative surround sound system relative to the plurality of other speakers of the collaborative surround sound system.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 730,911, filed Nov. 28, 2012.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The disclosure relates to multi-channel sound system and, more particularly, collaborative multi-channel sound systems.BACKGROUND[0003]A typical multi-channel sound system (which may also be referred to as a “multi-channel surround sound system”) typically includes an audio / video (AV) receiver and two or more speakers. The AV receiver typically includes a number of outputs to interface with the speakers and a number of inputs to receive audio and / or video signals. Often, the audio and / or video signals are generated by various home theater or audio components, such as television sets, digital video disc (DVD) players, high-definition video players, game systems, record players, compact disc (CD) players, digital media players, set-top boxes (STBs), laptop computers, tablet computers and the like.[0004]While the AV receiver may process video signals to pro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In this way, the headend device may form a collaborative sound system using speakers of mobile devices that are generally available but not utilized in conventional sound systems, thereby enabling users to avoid or reduce costs associated with purchasing dedicated speakers. In addition, given that the mobile devices may be wirelessly coupled to the headend device, the collaborative surround sound system formed in accordance with the techniques described in this disclosure may enable rear sound without having to run speaker wire or other physical connections to provide power to the speakers. Accordingly, the techniques may promote both cost savings in terms of avoiding the cost associated with purchasing dedicated speakers and installation of such speakers and ease and flexibility of configuration in avoiding the need to provide dedicated physical connections coupling the rear speakers to the headend device.

Problems solved by technology

Although surround sound may provide a more immersive listening (and, in conjunction with video, viewing) experience, the AV receiver and loudspeakers required to reproduce convincing surround sound are often expensive.

Running these wires may be unsightly and prevent adoption of 5.1, 7.1 and higher order surround sound systems by consumers.

Images